April 23-29 is Infertility Awareness Week
Did you know that approximately 1 in 8 couples have difficulty getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy? Approximately 30% of these couples will be diagnosed with “unexplained infertility.” This means they cannot identify a specific cause for infertility. While this can be great that there are no major issues, it can also be very frustrating to not have any answers.
April 23-29 is Infertility Awareness Week. A week dedicated to raising public awareness of infertility. This includes educating lawmakers about how infertility impacts many of the people they serve. More states and insurance plans are covering infertility treatments, but we still have a long ways to go.
Naturally Improve Your Fertility
Whether you’ve just started trying to conceive or you’ve moved into IUI or IVF, there are lots of things that you can do to help support your fertility!
Stress Reduction: Trying to start a family can be incredibly stressful, especially in you’re having difficulties conceiving. Take time to “fill your cup” with activities, friends, and family that help you feel your best. Make sure to schedule in lots of self care like regular exercise, alone time, massage/acupuncture/chiropractics, etc.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting: BBT charting is an excellent way to track cycles, identify patterns, and confirm ovulation. You can find inexpensive thermometers at Target or your local drugstore that are specifically for BBT charting. Use the thermometer to take your temperature first thing every morning – don’t get out of bed, don’t toss and turn. There are so many apps that you can use to keep track of your daily temperatures. My favorite is Ovia: Fertility, Cycle, Health. It’s free and easy to use!
Diet + Exercise: We want your body to be as healthy as possible. This means taking care of the basics like a healthy diet and regular exercise. My favorite approach to eating for fertility is the Mediterranean diet. It’s a great approach to eating in general and tends to be very anti-inflammatory.
Supplementation: I find targeted supplementation to be VERY helpful for fertility. Of course, a high quality prenatal vitamin is absolutely necessary – even if you’re not trying to get pregnant but you’re of childbearing age. Make sure your prenatal has methylfolate, which is the more easily absorbed form and vital for preventing birth defects. In addition, I find DHA, NAC, CoQ10, and probiotics to be helpful in supporting healthy cycles, improving egg quality, and preparing the body for pregnancy. You can find my favorite products here and get 10% off your order.
Acupuncture: Duh – you knew I’d say this, right? Acupuncture is so great to reduce stress levels, minimize inflammation, balance hormones, and support a healthy menstrual cycle!
